Life With Morgan and Madison

Madison crawling

2010-02-02T14:11:00.003-05:00

I thougt Madison would never crawl, she was doing what Morgan called the "booty scoot" forever, but sure enough, she did! Now, of course,she' into everything!

I need to add video here, but it's taking no less than forever, so I will come back to it!

Morgan modeling

2010-02-02T14:10:00.019-05:00

Morgan booked a modeling job for Belk, so we traveled to Savannah first for the fitting...

We found a yummy New Orlean's style restaurant for breakfast, then some sight seeing and a really cool indoor playplace for bit!

and then for the shoot. Morgan loved it, particularly the hair and makeup trailer. What a girl ;)

hanging out before the shoot:

coming out of the hair and makeup trailer. You should have heard the giggles and girly squeals of delight coming out of there!

returning from the shoot:

After a hard day's work ;)

Maddy's 9th month

2010-02-02T14:10:00.016-05:00

December 7: 34 weeks

December 14th: 35 weeks

December 21st: 36 weeks

December 28th: 37 weeks

January 4th: 38 weeks

January 6th: 9 months old!

Madison's 8th month

2010-02-02T14:10:00.008-05:00

November 9th: 30 weeks

November 16th: 31 weeks

November 23rd: 32 weeks

November 30th: 33 weeks

December 6th: 8 months old!

All things Christmas!!!

2010-02-02T14:09:00.011-05:00

We Love Christmas around here, and there are just so many activities to go along with it. Here are some of the highlights:

Here is a picture of our 2009 Christmas card:

Every year Santa comes to Ricefields. Here is Maddy's first Santa encounter..fortunately, Morgan was there to help!

Later, we went to see Santa at the mall:

Then we went to a special dinner with ou friends Christina, Camryn, and Gracie where "Hannah Montana" was performing. Wowza, Morgan loved it! They even made it snow inside :P

Christmas wouldn't be complete without the Chick-Fil-A Christmas Cow!

Then we went to PA, where we played in the snow...

Finally Santa came

and Christmas morning was here...

After that, it was time for my parents annual Christmas party...

and then we went to Spartanburg!

I will try to get th videos of theselast two things up later. Blogspot is being finicky.

Maddy's 7th month

2010-02-02T14:08:00.004-05:00

October 12th: 26 weeks

October 19th: 27 weeks

October 26th: 28 weeks

November 2nd: 29 weeks

November 6th: 7 months

M-I-C....K-E-Y... M-O-U-S-E

2009-11-14T09:13:00.008-05:00

It was a looong trip...

but we finally made it!

Breakfast at Chef Mickeys!

Animal Kingdom!

Hollywood Studios! Morgan LOVED the Tower of Terror.

Epcot:

and then home:

We loved our Disney experience, and we can't wait to go back!

It's been too long....

2009-11-14T09:10:00.021-05:00

I know, I know. So I'm not even going to try, I'm going to just move on. Here are some Halloween pictures.... my mom made the cutest costumes for the girls. Morgan was Little Bo Peep, and Madison was the sheep of course!

and here are some pictures of the girls from Dana Bradley photography.

Maddy's 6th month

2009-11-14T09:10:00.019-05:00

September 14: 23 weeks

September 21st: 24 weeks

September 28th: 25weeks

October 5: 26 weeks

Maddy's 5th month

2009-11-14T09:10:00.011-05:00

August 10: 18 weeks

August 17: 19 weeks

August 24: 20 weeks

August 31: 21 weeks (not a great pic, but oh well :))

September 6: 5 months!

my favorite thing...

2009-10-05T21:50:00.003-04:00

This was taken way back in August, but I have to show you one of my favorite things. Both girls LOVE this. You'll have to excuse my singing, and focus on the baby :)

I know, I know...

2009-10-04T20:24:00.002-04:00

Blog under construction. I had full intentions of getting this blog updated this weekend, but life got in the way... more specifically, two daughters, two dogs, one full time job, and grad class. I vow to get at least one new entry on here a night this week, and then we'll catch up!

The water park

2009-09-08T12:57:00.005-04:00

For one of our last summer weekends, we went to the Wild Water and Wheels to try and have some fun in the sun, and boy did we ever! Everyone had a blast!

another long overdue entry... The McGee's come to Pawleys!

2009-09-07T13:38:00.005-04:00

Erin, Terence, Ethan, and Tamzin all came for a visit a few weeks ago. We had lots of fun... especially the little ones. Here's some video from The Pavillion Nostalgia Park.
...more video are coming!!!

Take me out to the ball game...

2009-09-07T13:24:00.002-04:00

Morgan's first slumber party

2009-09-07T12:44:00.005-04:00

So this is a little late... after all, it was a month ago, but better late than never :o) Morgan had one of her very best friends sleep over. Here are some pictures and videos of the festivities!

Maddy's 5th month

2009-09-02T12:16:00.009-04:00

18 weeks (august 10th)

19 weeks (august 17th)

20 weeks (august 24th)

21 weeks (august 31)

5 months (Sept 6th)

mermaids!

2009-09-02T12:15:00.004-04:00

We visited Ripley's Aquarium with Morgan's BFF Camryn, and her sister Gracie to see the Wacawache Mermaids. Here are some pics from the day.

First foods :o)

2009-09-02T12:13:00.006-04:00

Maddy has started eating some solid foods... some she likes, and others... well.... not so much. Here are some pictures and videos of her food journey:

Maddy's 4th month

2009-09-02T12:08:00.009-04:00

14 weeks(july 13th)

15 weeks(july 20th)

16 weeks(july 27th)

17 weeks(august 3rd)

4 months old (august 6th)

morgan's first modeling job :o)

2009-07-30T15:30:00.004-04:00

Morgan had a blast with her first ever modeling job... so much so that she didn't want to leave when it was over. Here are some shots of the day

Spartanburg visit

2009-07-30T15:19:00.003-04:00

We recently made a trip (Maddy's first!) to the Upstate. We had tons of people we wanted to see and not enough time. Luckily though, we were able to get 4 generations together... twice! We had a great time; I just wish we could do it more often!

We've got spirit, yes we do!!

2009-07-13T08:48:00.002-04:00

Morgan loved Cheerleading camp... Here she is showing her spirit!

Maddy's 3rd month...

2009-07-13T08:47:00.013-04:00

9 weeks (6/08/09):

10 weeks (6/15/09):

11 weeks (6/22/09):

12 weeks (6/29/09):

13 weeks and 3 months!! (7/06/09):

4th of July!!!

2009-07-13T08:47:00.008-04:00

coming soon!

one year ago...

2009-06-29T13:03:00.002-04:00

One year ago today, I woke up a married lady. Yesterday was our first wedding anniversary. I can't believe how much has happened in such a short amount of time. We are blessed to have a great marriage and two beautiful girls. We celebrated by making mint mojitos (the signature drink at our wedding), and tasting our year old wedding cake. I think for the first time in my life I could have done without the cake ;o). Happy Anniversary Jarrod!

The beach

2009-06-29T11:51:00.002-04:00

Just some quick pictures from the beach yesterday...

Vacation Bible School!

2009-06-25T10:54:00.016-04:00

Morgan loved vacation bible school! This was the first year she was old enough to attend, and she hasn't stopped talking about it since. Here are some videos to enjoy!

Father's Day

2009-06-25T10:54:00.005-04:00

Happy Father's Day Jarrod! It was a great day. First, Morgan and Maddy gave Jarrod his gifts... this poem accompanied with their foot prints and framed:
Walk A Little Slower
"Walk a little slower, Daddy", Said a little child so small.
"I'm following in your footsteps, And I don't want to fall. Sometimes your steps are very fast, Sometimes they're hard to see; So walk a little slower, Daddy, For you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child Who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, And know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy, For I must follow you."
(author unknown)
Happy Father’s Day 2009

They also gave him tickets to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans game.

We had a blast! Here are some pictures from the day!

The evening ended in fireworks:

The Sun Fun Festival and Maddy's first movie!

2009-06-11T11:57:00.009-04:00

What a great day! We headed off to the annual Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach... There wasn't much sun, but there was tons of fun.

Morgan got her picture taken with Tyrone and Pablo from the Backyardigans. She really wanted to meet them, but was a little shy once she got up there...

Then, she got her face painted...

Afterwards, we went to see Up! in 3-D... It was Maddy's first movie. She loved looking at the bright lights on the screen.

It was a good day...

Maddy's 2nd month

2009-06-11T11:44:00.006-04:00

My baby just keeps growing and growing! Take a look at her 2nd month!

5 weeks (May 11th)...

6 weeks (May 18th)...

7 weeks (May 25th)...

8 weeks (June 1st)...

2 months (June 6th)...

Maddy's first trip to PA

2009-06-10T13:54:00.010-04:00

Us girls left Jarrod for the week so Maddy could visit PA for the very first time. We had a great time despite the less than perfect weather. Here are some of the highlights...
The plane ride (maddy's very first!)May 28th on Allegiant Air

Baseball in PA

Maddy and Nanny

Fireworks!!

and this is what happens when we've had too much fun...

Memorial Day Weekend!!

2009-06-10T11:05:00.010-04:00

We had lots of fun this Memorial Day weekend, and lots of firsts... Here are some pictures and videos from our wonderful weekend!
The beach...

the pool...

dinner... before we had to get to-go boxes because maddy was cranky...

some more...

picture catch up...

2009-05-25T10:46:00.010-04:00

So I have been neglecting to put the most recent pictures on here. Call it laziness, craziness, whatever, they just haven't made it...so without further ado, here are some pics of the two most adorable girls (I'm not biased at all... they really are ;o)!

Morgan and Ethan when he came to visit for Morgan's birthday...

Morgan the ballerina shopper, combining two of her very favorite things...

and some of Maddy...

ummm... We RARELY see this side of her (haha)

and of course she is always thinking...

her new bouncy seat that I *thought* would help her to fall asleep upstairs instead of her swing downstairs...

Maddy rockin the 80's style...

Maddy in her Peanut Shell sling... it's a lifesaver!

and finally, one of both the girls...

Hopefully I won't get so behind again... who am I kidding?

Batter up!

2009-05-20T14:44:00.004-04:00

We have a softball player on our hands! Mema and Pop-Pop Dave got Morgan a teeball set for her birthday, and it's a hit! Morgan can not only hit the ball from the tee, but she can also hit a ball that's pitched to her. Way to go!

Mother's Day

2009-05-20T13:05:00.007-04:00

Th day was fantastic, and why wouldn't it be when you have these two beautiful girls?

It started with a wonderful breakfast on the back porch. With such beautiful weather, we couldn't resist going to the pool...

But the day wasn't over yet... we came home and made smores with the fire pit Jarrod and the girls got me. Then Morgan practiced swinging on her own...

Then after the girls went to bed, Jarrod and I spent some much needed quality time together enjoying the nice night on the back porch. What a great life.

Maddy and her daddy...

2009-05-07T13:21:00.004-04:00

A look at Maddy's first month...

2009-05-06T19:03:00.004-04:00

As I did with Morgan, I am taking Maddy's picture the same day every week (Monday, because that's what day she was born)to see just how much she grows... Here is her first month.... Happy one month birthday Madison!

birth day

1 week

2 weeks

3 weeks

4 weeks

1 month

Maddy and I just hanging out yesterday...

2009-05-06T11:04:00.003-04:00

Morgan's birthday....

2009-05-05T14:14:00.003-04:00

Here is some video of Morgan opening her annual letter and charm. Pictures of her party are soon to come, I promise!

A day at the beach...

2009-05-05T13:51:00.004-04:00

It was Madison's very first, and Morgan's first of the season. It was a beautiful day, but a little windy. Here is some video from the day...

Morgan the flower girl!

2009-04-30T10:50:00.004-04:00

Morgan's favorite teacher and best friend got married on the beach last Saturday and asked Morgan to be the flower girl. She was so excited! Here are a few pictures and a video from the day...

Madison just hanging out

2009-04-30T10:22:00.003-04:00

more pics of Madison from Dana's blog...

2009-04-19T11:42:00.001-04:00

www.danabradley.com/blog

Easter

2009-04-19T11:26:00.005-04:00

Our first Easter as a family of four, and boy was it busy! We had 4 Easter egg hunts, a visit to nanny and pop-pop at their house in North Myrtle Beach, and brunch at the clubhouse. Here are a few pictures from the day... you can see how much Morgan loves her little sister!

A couple in their Easter dresses...

and one from the neighborhood Easter egg hunt...

leaving the hospital...

2009-04-19T10:48:00.003-04:00

Mama and Madison meet...

2009-04-19T09:35:00.004-04:00

well, kinda...

We met briefly in the operating room, but I wasn't allowed to hold her until I was out of recovery and in my room.

more from the hospital...

2009-04-19T08:48:00.005-04:00

Madison arriving into the world...

Everyone getting a glimpse of the new baby...

Jarrod and Madison enjoying some quiet time...

Our Stork dinner....

Here are some pics from Dana Bradley

2009-04-12T08:26:00.002-04:00

Dana is not only an amazing photographer, but she is also a friend. She has been there to photograph all our wonderful moments, and this was no different. Here are the pics from her blog, www.danabradley.com

Look what's in our Easter basket!

2009-04-12T07:37:00.003-04:00

Madison James arrived at 8:27 am on Monday April 6th. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 ozs, 19 1/2 inches long.... exactly like her big sister Morgan. She's a cutie, and I will be posting many more pics soon!

Tomorrow's the day!!

2009-04-05T11:48:00.002-04:00

By this time tomorrow, there will be a new member of the family. Madison James will make her appearance, and we can finally breathe a sigh of relief that we can stop getting everything ready. It seems like there is always one last thing we (okay, I) want to have finished before she gets here... I'm sure she will be very impressed with the flowerbeds and lawn when we bring her home... at least that's what I keep telling Jarrod.

In all sincerity, we have done a lot of work to get the house, Morgan, and our lives ready for her arrival, and tomorrow it will all be worth it. Thanks Jarrod for doing more home improvement and yard work in the past few months than you've probably ever done in your whole life.... Madison will love it, and I'm sure it will be her very first memory ;0)

It''s a date!

2009-03-17T18:56:00.003-04:00

We had our 36 week appt and ultrasound yesterday, and Madison James is doing well! She is weighing in right now just shy of 6 pounds (5 lbs, 15 ozs) and is measuring right on track.

Morgan got her very own picture of her baby sister,a closeup of her little hand, one she will be holding time and time again, I'm sure.

Madison will be joining the world via c-section on Monday April 6th! It seems like it's so far away, yet just around the corner.

There's so much to do, yet so little time! I better get moving!

sharing some pictures...

2009-03-09T10:17:00.003-04:00

We had some maternity/family photos done a couple weekends ago by Dana Bradley (she's awesome by the way!) Here are a few of my favorites...

If I ruled the world....

2009-02-17T18:39:00.002-05:00

...I would be able to take off until the baby's born.

...I could hire people to do all the things I have deemed 'necessary' to my house before Madison's arrival.

...gaining six pounds in two weeks would be considered normal.

...the McDonald's down the street would sell Shamrock Shakes.

...All of my students would behave AND do all their work.

...Bogey would stop barking at me for no reason.

...I would get a good night's sleep sometime soon.

...the laundry fairy would pay my house a visit.

...Morgan would be the best behaved child there ever was.

Ahhhh...maybe someday.

Life is definitely about to change....

2009-02-08T20:15:00.002-05:00

I have 8 weeks (7 weeks and 6 days if I have her on the 3rd), and life as we know it is about to change. I shouldn't say that... life has already changed. I am sitting here in an airport waiting FOREVER for my connection, and I am already contending with not one, but two children. To be honest, Morgan is being an angel.... it's the not-yet-ready-to-be-met darling daughter that's giving me the problems this trip. I'll tell you, you certainly move a little slower when carrying around 500 extra pounds, not to mention the oh so fun contractions that seem to pop up anytime I do anything remotely active. Fun times. I wonder which child will prove to be more headstrong? If it's Madison, I'm done for!

and we're in the third trimester!

2009-01-21T22:10:00.006-05:00

Finally... Okay, so really it's flown by for the most part, but I am still glad to be closing in on the homestretch.

We are slowly making progress on the house, with the hard wood floors *almost* finished (they say tomorrow). It was way too cold in the south this past weekend to work on the garage, so that will be Jarrod's major excitement this weekend! Yay! I'm sure he loves this idea.

I am lovin' the southern style snow here because I (and by default, Madison) had a two hour delay today! WOOT! Gotta love extra sleep. Morgan, at 3 years old, just doesn't understand the joy of extra sleep and will continue to wake up at a quarter 'til too early for the rest of our lives I think.

Morgan is so funny though, she already loves her new baby sister, and often plays with her. This usually consists of putting makeup on her (i.e. putting makeup on mommy's belly), or shouting/singing down my belly button so that madison is sure to hear her. Yikes. The cutest was when Morgan insisted Madison was thirsty and tried her hardest to convince me that she had to give Madison some juice via my belly button. Ummm... don't think so.

Sea World called... they're looking for their missing whale

2009-01-15T22:10:00.003-05:00

So I should really start looking into the world record for gaining weight, because surely I will exceed the previous record.

Oh well.... everything else at my 28 week appt went well. I now go every two weeks, and the dreaded glucose test results came back... and I passed with flying colors. Bring on the french fries, bread, cookies, ice cream, oh wait... that's probably why Ripley himself is wanting to add me to his museum.

Oh well, it's been an eventful day, and I got no sleep last night, so I'm off to bed...

T-12 weekends?!?

2009-01-09T18:53:00.000-05:00

Here we are, just 12 weekends away from Maddy's big entrance and we have no less than a MILLION things to do. It seems like the only time we have to do these things is on the weekends, but even that is not enough. Do you think Madison will notice? No... but it still needs to be done anyway. Does anyone know a housework fairie? I guess tomorrow and Sunday will be full of work work work.... hopefully.

one more thing to love about pregnancy...

2009-01-07T21:52:00.000-05:00

...and to think my parents were worried my college education would go to waste. Today I had to put my old skills to the test; the ones I acquired oh so long ago as a college student and rugby player... chugging. Only this time it wasn't beer, and I certainly didn't get drunk. Instead I had to down the orange-y, syrup-y, grossness for the glucose screening test in 10 minutes or less. Fun stuff.

In college when you chug a beverage, it's usually followed by an evening of entertainment. My pregnancy entertainment? getting jabbed with a needle to test the level of glucose in my blood. Fun stuff.

But.... if all goes well, it means that I will be able to continue enjoying all those wonderful carbs that I love so much.... and, thanks to my new Wii Fit, I can enjoy even more.... Yummmm

26 weeks and counting...

2009-01-06T20:09:00.000-05:00

So here is where I thought I might be able to keep everyone updated on pregnancy, baby, and well, life in general. Bear with me as I learn to manage and write this blog, and figure out how to add all the bells and whistles... Welcome to my blog.

Well, we're in the home stretch.... kinda. Madison's ETA is roughly the first week of April, and we're all getting ready for her arrival. We are busily getting the house ready, and things done to make the transition from one to two children as smooth as possible. Soon Morgan will move into her 'big-girl room' with brand new furniture, and Madison will then occupy what used to be Morgan's nursery. Hopefully all will go smoothly...